Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 04-16-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I've been doing a lot of weeping lately and it's your fault. But I'm not complaining; it's been happy crying. Unexpected kindnesses and gifts have brought me to tears. When I opened a package yesterday I read this note: "Hi Girlfriend, Congratulations on your book! Please accept this token as recognition of your success. Dear Reader Fan--Donna Verstegen" Donna and I have never met, yet she took the time to make me a beautiful cross-stitched pillow, the inscription: "Suzanne Beecher Author Extraordinaire."

Then when I opened my email, I discovered that Louise Jolly's family enjoyed Scalloped Potatoes last night for dinner, and I enjoyed reading her email this morning:

"Dearest Suzanne: Wow!! What a recipe that was!!!! Last night I made your recipe for Scalloped Potatoes. I see what you mean now about "stirring constantly" but knowing that ahead of time (thanks to you) I brought the book I was reading to the stove with me, so I could stir and read at the same time. Let me tell you, it cut that stirring time down by three-quarters, or so it seemed. Anyway, I will NEVER again make any other recipe for scalloped potatoes other than yours. So...please be advised that YOUR recipe has just begun a family tradition that will now be handed down the line, generation after generation after generation. Five hundred years from now people in my family will still be making Suzanne Beecher's Scalloped Potatoes. Not only is it good to read with friends, but to cook with 'em too! Cheers,"--Lousie Jolly

I think some of this week's happy crying is because it feels like I'm in the midst of a family reunion. Hundreds of you have emailed requesting a Mother's Day book plate, and it's amazing how many names I recognize. But then I guess it shouldn't be such a surprise, because we've been reading together for a long time.

Receiving gifts, giving gifts, hearing from old friends, I know I say it every day, but it truly is from the heart: Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

If you'd like to see a photo of the pillow Donna sent or get a copy of my Scalloped Potato recipe, go to: http://tinyurl.com/y7k7mou

And if you're still looking for a gift idea for Mother's Day, I'd love to be part of your celebration, go to: http://tinyurl.com/mother2010

Gratefully,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: This week, books for child and teen readers about the fear of being alone, time travel and adventure, and famous as well as unknown women and girls in history from: Christine Brodien-Jones, The Owl Keeper; Ted Bell, The Time Pirate: A Nick McIver Adventure; Susanne Dunlap, Anastasia's Secret; and Laurie Halse Anderson, Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution. For a chance to win free books and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

Dear Reader Column 04-15-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I've actually been looking forward to April 15th this year. Yes, tax day for me this time around is a no-brainer. Because I've decided that since I freely open up and write about every little thing in my life, that every little thing in my life should be a tax write-off--even my underwear. Remember the column I did about Day-of-the-Week underwear?

Bags and bags of receipts marked 'Suzanne's Life in 2009' are bundled up and stored in my closet, in case the taxman decides to visit and challenge me. Travel authors book a flight to France, stay in a suite at the Ritz, order room service and visit the spa. I ask you, does a full body massage really feel different in France than it does in Detroit? Yet it's a research-for-their-book, tax write-off. So since this girl writes about her life, my entire life is a write-off (but only in tax terminology). Hair curlers, heating pads, shoes, toilet paper, flowers and trees, that cute little black dress hanging in my closet, cats, bubble machines, the carpet I had installed in my family room, my new bathtub faucet--column number
1657, heck, even my husband should be a business write-off. Frequently I write about him, too; column number 557 when he was up at 3 a.m., filling hot water bottles for the stray cats we take care of because we had freezing temperatures here in Florida, and then there was column number 843, when my husband got a No U-Turn ticket and was reenacting the scene (incorrectly, I might add) on my kitchen counter when I needed to make my morning coffee.

It all sounds logical to me, but when I gave my tax return that one last look-see, just to make sure I didn't make any mistakes, before I filed it electronically--there may be a couple of items I might have forgotten to write about, (strike-that). Let's just say, I might need to refresh your memory in case I need you to testify for me. You clearly remember the column about my new big flat screen TV and how nicely it fits on my fireplace mantle, don't you? And I'm sure, if an IRS agent questioned you, you'd also vividly recall reading about the hot tub I installed on my back patio, right?

One final note: if you happen to work for the IRS, my husband wants to assure you that we're not really married, and he'll be filing his taxes separately this year!

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

* I've been signing bookplates and writing letters to moms. There's still time to take advantage of my Mother's Day special, go to: http://tinyurl.com/mother2010

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Irene Hannon, In Harm's Way; Sean Kenniff, Etre the Cow; Ernie Ward, D.V.M., Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter--A Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives; Douglas Clegg, Neverland; and Tom Wallace, Heirs of Cain. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 04-14-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's a busy week here at the book clubs. My writing muse reminded me that in addition to our Library Week Celebration giveaways, it's time for me to bake for readers, and then (knock, knock) Stephen King asked me to tell you about Blockade Billy his new, never before published novella.

Whether you're a diehard baseball fan, or simply love pitching the ball to your grandson in the backyard, (that's what my grandson Paul and I did yesterday afternoon, but since Paul's only three, I roll the ball on the ground and he whacks it back with the bat!) if you're a Stephen King fan you'll find his latest creation at www.cemetarydance.com

Playing ball with my grandson has given me a case of baseball fever--Batter up! So today for fun, I'm giving away baseballs. Simply send an email to: Suzanne@DearReader.com, include your name and mailing address, and you'll be entered. Baseballs, books, and now all I need is a hot dog with all the toppings!

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: This week, books for child and teen readers about the fear of being alone, time travel and adventure, and famous as well as unknown women and girls in history from: Christine Brodien-Jones, The Owl Keeper; Ted Bell, The Time Pirate: A Nick McIver Adventure; Susanne Dunlap, Anastasia's Secret; and Laurie Halse Anderson, Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution. For a chance to win free books and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

 

Dear Reader Column 04-13-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

"Could you come over and watch the kids this evening, so we can have a date night?" My son called at 6 p.m., this past Saturday. Grandpa and Grandma were happy to come over and baby sit, but it was the strangest thing, because several times earlier in the day, I'd had the urge to pick up the phone and offer to baby sit thinking our son and daughter-in-law might like a night out.

Grandsons, Paul and James, were happy to see us, Mom and Dad were at the movies, Grandma and Grandpa were lying down in the driveway so Paul could draw around us with sidewalk chalk, James was devouring the scalloped potatoes and ham casserole, I'd brought along. (I had two casseroles in the oven when my son called, so I brought them with us to finishing baking.) Yes, everyone was having a good time; the evening was progressing as normal, until Paul asked for more juice. Grandma couldn't find any more in the refrigerator, so I went looking in the cupboards--and that's when I saw "them"--and that's when I lost my mind.

I try very hard not to stick my nose into my children's business, but this mother stuck her nose and her hands into her son's cupboard Saturday night. Dishes were in the front of the cupboard, but stuffed way in the back were over 30 plastic grocery bags, and before I knew it, something inside of me went nuts. One-after-another, I threw every single plastic bag into the trash--and strangely, I felt quite satisfied and relieved--like I'd rid the house of some kind of alien. We're safe now; the plastic bags are outside in the trash can with the lid on tight.

The cupboard looked organized, but immediately I knew I'd overstepped. What were my son and daughter-in-law going to say? Probably nothing, probably wouldn't even notice, after all we're talking about plastic bags. But the next morning my phone rang, "Mom, I thought we had a bunch of plastic bags in the cupboard, but I can't seem to find any this morning. Do you know anything about them?"

How do you explain to your son, that you have this quirky thing about bags stuffed in cupboards, behind toasters, or anywhere in the house? My parents were grocery bag collectors. Every cupboard, closet, even underneath the beds grocery bags were stored--just to make sure we never ran out.

"Mom, we save those bags. We use them to dispose of diapers and to scoop the litter box, so we go through a lot of them and in the process we're recycling, too."

I was so embarrassed! Mother saved grocery bags, but she also told me to admit your mistakes and make amends. So I've been phoning friends--who won't ask any questions--collecting plastic grocery bags.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 04-12-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's National Library Week in the U.S.A. and I'm ready to party, how about you? If you're reading along at a Canadian Library, we'll be celebrating this coming October for you, too.

The good news about National Library Week is that it calls for hootin', hollering, and a lot of fun. The bad news is that budgets at libraries around the country continue to be cut. So again this year, in conjunction with celebrating National Library Week, I'm offering a Library Stimulus Package. Here's how it works:

Send me a note about why you enjoy your local library, and I'll forward your comments on to the director and staff--who doesn't like to get compliments? Then, I'll enter your name in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to your favorite bookstore (that's the party part) and if your name is drawn, I'll send your local library a check for $25 (that's the Stimulus Package). I have 8 gift certificates and 8 stimulus checks for libraries. It's a fun way to celebrate and spread some good will.

And by the way, that $25 bookstore gift certificate--I can recommend a great book (wink-wink) written by a short blonde woman in Florida who loves to bake. If you decide to use your gift certificate to preorder Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life let me know, and I'll send you an autographed bookplate.

Thanks for joining in the celebration. I love librarians, and what a gift to be able to visit my local library anytime, for free. Send your note for your local library staff, to: Suzanne@DearReader.com

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Gratefully,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Irene Hannon, In Harm's Way; Sean Kenniff, Etre the Cow; Ernie Ward, D.V.M., Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter--A Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives; Douglas Clegg, Neverland; and Tom Wallace, Heirs of Cain. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 04-09-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

The past few days I've been feeling a little bit like Santa Claus. Making a list and checkin' it twice, to make sure I'm getting all of the Mother's Day cards and autographed book plates in the right envelopes and ready to mail, so they reach moms in time for Mother's Day. This opportunity has turned out to be as much fun for me, as it seems to be for book club readers:

"Hi Suzanne, love the Mother's Day Card tie-in with the book. I'm an MBA student at Michigan studying marketing and think this is a fabulous idea. I've been reading your columns for years and really enjoy them, and can't wait to read your book. I pre-ordered my copy as soon as I heard it was on Amazon, but I just ordered three copies for my mom, my aunt (who always gets a Mother's Day card too), and my husband's mom.

Thanks for doing this--I always struggle with finding something cool and unique for their day and I have to get them all the same thing--they talk you know! I learned the hard way that you can't give one a better gift than the others! <smile> You wouldn't happen to know where I could find a red glass domed cake stand would you? <laugh>

Cheers and thanks so much!!"-- M.

Thank you M. (Santa can't reveal this reader's name until after Mother's Day) for letting me share this special holiday with you and your mom, your aunt, and mother-in-law. What a treat!

To read about my Mother's Day idea, go to: http://tinyurl.com/mother2010

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 04-08-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

"Go with what you're given and add something to it."

My husband was reading an article about Improv and when he shared that line with me, it felt golden--a recipe for my life. An Improv comic's main mission is to be more concerned about others than herself. Make your teammates look good and you'll come out a winner, too. You've gotta trust somebody other than yourself, because you can't set up the joke and bring-it-on-home alone. It requires working together.

"No," is a dirty word in Improv. Instead, say "yes" to what you're given and add something to it. Life doesn't always work out like we plan--even on stage. Maybe you were anticipating the joke to be about a mother-in-law (a funny come-back was all set up in your mind), but instead, your teammate handed you a crotchety old veteran who never stops talking about the "Big One."

"Go with what you're given and add something to it." Straight from the Improv bible, but some days it feels like it was written especially for me. You see I spend a lot of time going back and replaying conversations and situations in my mind; trying to figure out why things didn't turn out like I'd envisioned. It's a useful tool for a writer, but only if after mining what I need, I can then release those thoughts--and go with what I've been given and add something to it.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

*Read about my Mother's Day idea, go to: http://tinyurl.com/mother2010

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: James Rubart, Rooms; Lynette Eason, Too Close to Home; Michele Scott, A Toast to Murder; Barbara Freethy, On Shadow Beach; Jake Ehrenreich, A Jew Grows in Brooklyn: The Curious Reflections of a First-Generation American. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 04-07-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Something special for Mother's Day, May 9th.

Love isn't always a guarantee between a mother and a daughter, at least it wasn't for my mother and me. We cared for each other, but I think it was more out of a sense of duty. So it was very difficult when I found myself standing in front of rows of greeting cards, agonizing over which Mother's Day card to buy.

I couldn't bring myself to give my mother a card thanking her for her love and affection, or for how special she made me feel. But I also didn't want to send a generic "Happy Day" card that might suggest how I really felt about our relationship. I guess a daughter always holds out hope--who knows, maybe it was that way for my mother, too.

My mother's gone now and it's strange, but every Mother's Day since her passing, I wish I could try again. It's the memories of things Mom and I did together that comfort me now; like the time we were clowns in her hometown parade. We even won a prize two years in a row.

This coming Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9th, I invite you to share my book Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life with your mother. Inside you'll find an inspirational celebration of food, family, and a touch of homespun magic for rediscovering the small town in your heart. I hope when you and your mother are reading my stories, you'll be inspired to share some of your own.

Muffins and Mayhem isn't released until June 1st, but you can preorder the book for you and your mother, then send an email (including your mother's name and mailing address) and I'll send her a special Mother's Day card, including an autographed bookplate for when her book arrives. To read more about the Mother's Day opportunity, to see the card and the bookplate, go to: http://tinyurl.com/mother2010

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 04-06-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Bonnie and Kathleen offered some excellent ideas for Nancy (the mom in yesterday's column who wanted to write a journal for her children). (If you missed yesterday's column, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ylcbyct )

"Dear Suzanne, regarding Nancy getting started writing a daily journal: I suggest that she make it very simple, so it isn't overwhelming. Write one sentence about each child: what they said, what they did, what they wore, then maybe add one sentence about her own day, the family activity, dinner, or the weather. If she starts with the goal of just four sentences on four subjects, then more ideas will add themselves. Hope this helps."--Bonnie H.

"Suzanne, when my daughter was small we shared a Saturday Journal: two facing pages in the book, one for each of us. I wrote words; she mostly drew pictures. Now it's hers to work on with her sons. Nancy who wrote about fitting a journal into her busy life could use her journal as a way to spend time with her children, letting them add notes and pictures. They'll remember what she forgets! Time together. Memories shared. A foundation laid for journaling in future generations."--Kathleen

If you'd like to start writing a few lines every day, but you need a jumpstart, enter today's journal giveaway. A brand new journal showing up in your mailbox might be just the thing to inspire you.

To enter the drawing and see some photos from Easter at my house, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yg333tw

* Be sure to tune in tomorrow for a special Mother's Day idea.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com
Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life
(Touchstone/June 1st or preorder now.)

 

Dear Reader Column 04-05-10

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Tune in tomorrow for a special Mother's Day idea.

Today, Nancy needs a little help. . .

"Hi Suzanne, I have three children (ages 5-13), and I'm a working engineer. I really have no time to spare, as you can imagine with three very active children, but I would like to start a journal to document the goings-on in our daily life. When I think about it, I'm usually too busy to start and the thought fades. Any ideas on how to get started? I'm not a writer by any means, but thought it would be nice to look back as you have done with your Grandma Hale's journals."--Nancy

(Suzanne replies:)

Dear Nancy,

Normally I don't like to give advice, but you've come to the right person for this problem. Even though writing is my job, sometimes I make too big of a deal out of getting started, especially if I feel like it's one of those "big moments" in life. Then I start thinking, 'Got to get it right Suzanne; it has to be spectacular.' But as soon as I start heaping on that kind of pressure, suddenly I don't know where to begin. Nothing I write seems like it's good enough, funny enough, or maybe it's too boring? I'll keep rolling those negative messages around in my brain (but in my case), because my daily deadline is looming, finally I get good-and-fed-up with myself and I decide to just say what's on my mind. And so I do.

Thank heavens my Grandma Hale didn't worry about such things. Every day she recorded in her journal what she baked, what she bought, how much it cost, and which neighbors knocked on the door--all the little (boring) details of her day. But there's the rub; those things might sound like they'd be boring to read, but they're not. In fact, I come away from spending time reading one of Grandma's journals--amazed! My grandmother baked every single day, sometimes two pies and a cake in the same afternoon. What did she do with all of those pastries? Grandma didn't write details, so her journal doesn't tell me who ate those baked goods, but knowing my grandmother, most likely her neighbors never went without dessert. Reading about the little things Grandma did each day adds up to a bigger picture of what her life was all about, and the things that were important to her--like me. Just reading my name in Grandma's journal, "Susan (my given name) is staying overnight and tomorrow we'll go to the shoe store." That writing might not be award-winning prose, but reading those words now, over 50 years later--it feels like Grandma just gave me a big hug. I feel loved and cared for.

All you need to start creating memories for your children is a spiral notebook and a pen. There's no time commitment. Grandma may have only written for five or ten minutes, and sometimes there's a catch-up entry, or a couple of days went by because life got busy. Keep your notebook out in plain sight and it will remind you of the desire in your heart.

Writing doesn't have to be complicated Nancy, it can be as simple as replying to a friend's question. How about pretending you're writing a "what-I-did-today" note to Suzanne to get started? By the way, thanks for writing my column for me today. (See how well it works?)

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with a friend like you.

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: James Rubart, Rooms; Lynette Eason, Too Close to Home; Michele Scott, A Toast to Murder; Barbara Freethy, On Shadow Beach; Jake Ehrenreich, A Jew Grows in Brooklyn: The Curious Reflections of a First-Generation American. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* Congratulations to Ellen Weissblum, the winner of the most recent Authorbuzz $25 Gift Card Giveaway.